Re: New here ~~

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

 

Quite a " journey " you have been on. Each of us have had our own " journey " to

discovery...some much better or much, much worse than others. The question

always is, " what to do about it? "

 

The present condition of your esophagus (E) is a factor, as well as your age.

You also need to go to the best GI doc and coordinate with the best surgeon your

insurance will cover. While this is far from the worst condition one can get, it

is also rare and often misunderstood (as well you know).

 

Some people feel that at your age a dilatation might be sufficient, rather than

the surgery. You will probably hear from Maggie and Ray, two of our prominent

and most helpful senior citizens, who have not had the surgery and both are

doing quite well, all things considered.

 

For now, just keep on asking questions.  Often some of the best doctors out

there will respond to emails. Don't let any doctor push you into doing something

until you understand and are comfortable with it being your decision, not

their's.  Many of my online friends here have done months of research before

deciding upon which course of action to follow and which doctor to work with. 

 

Both a dilatation and a Heller Myotomy require a great amount of skill that can

only be achieved by haviing done the procedures/surgeries dozens, if not

hundreds of times. A lack of experence may result in less than optimum results.

 

We are all sympathetic to your situation.  Hang around, ask and listen. You

will get better.

 

Generally speaking, dilatations do seem to more lasting results for a person of

your age. Before jumping into an operation, which you could still have later on,

you might consider that.   

 

From: puddleriver13 <puddleriver13@...>

Subject: New here ~~

achalasia

Date: Friday, October 14, 2011, 4:03 PM

 

Just diagnosed last week. Have some questions.

History: I'm 71. Started about five years ago. Only occasionally, and first

presenting as " drooling " on my pillow. Then, what I called " back swallowing "

where food from yesterday would suddenly be in my throat. All of this on

again/off again. It was very evident it wasn't GERD (absolutely NO acid). I've

had esophageal spasm off and on since my thirties, which IS really painful, but

none of this stuff was. My doc wasn't too concerned, and said when I was

bothered sufficiently, to let her know, and she'd refer me to a GI guy. Never

happened till this year.

This year has actually been more comfortable: none of that awful throat-grab

sensation that won't let ANYTHING down. Now it all goes down, and right back up.

I've become a master of concealment: I carry spitty cups everywhere I go. Don't

eat in public. Thanksgiving and Christmas have become my idea of hell.

This spring I really began to lose weight. Went from 180 in April to 120 on

September 28 the day I was admitted via ER, with seriously out of whack

electrolytes and massive dehydration/starvation. I'd tried to wait till an appt

with my own doc, but three days to go, didn't think I'd make it. Called in, told

'em what was going on, and they sent me to ER, post haste.

Irony, is I'd seen that bird's beak, and decided that wasn't ME. Everything *I*

was experiencing was in my THROAT. . . . When I saw my own during the barium

swallow, I was embarrassed for myself. I laughed, and the Radiologist said:

you've seen that guy, eh? Yep. You've been on the internet, haven't you? Oh,

yeah. But I'm a lousy doctor.

Now questions: Virtually EVERYONE except the GI guys seem to have confused it

with GERD. Got GERD meds on discharge. With a 5mm opening, got prescribed a

potassium pill at least 12mm which was going to stick in that opening and burn

the heck of of the esophagus. Maybe the fact that I'd been admitted because of

the potassium (which was under 2), and was in a cardiac unit, made for less

enlightened care? At this point I'm really scared of my possible care.

On the barium swallow, no indication of a bolus. And the endoscopy seems to have

opened the LES just a skosh, but my blender is still my New Best Friend. The GI

guys seemed to think Ensure or Boost would/could do it. But I find the blender a

*much* better solution.

At my age, I'm worried I'm just about at the end of them being

ready/willing/able to operate, and wasting time with dilation or botox. Does

anyone have a sense of how well/long either of those last? The GI guys seem

enamored of both (because it's stuff they can do?) UVA which is my nearest GOOD

hospital isn't high on the list (elsewhere on this site). How much trouble IS it

to travel? Can one just *call* the Mayo Clinic, and get an apt and a date in one

visit? Or any of the other Big Clinics? I'm on Medicare, is it going to cover

anything?

ly, at this point, I'm more afraid of dying of starvation than anything as

my weight is starting to drop again. (They got me back up to 133 with

rehydration, but it was 129 again this morning.)

I live in the backwoods (almost, lol!) of WV, about 40 miles from the nearest

hospital, and only GPs in the county. Have to go over to VA to find any

specialists at all.

Most of you guys look like kids to me. Any one here been diagnosed *this late*?

And thank you all for being here! And for any help!

xox,

[Guest guest]

Hi

Mine started as GERD in the middle of the night at age 75, and I do remember

drooling on the pillow. I am now 81 and doing much better than 5 years ago, I

have had NO operations or dilations. Gerd went away as the LES closed, and I

sleep on on elevated bed.

Took 3 years for four GI assholes to determine it was classic Achalasia. I have

done many years of research much like notan and decided I would try my own

routines.

My weight went from 175 to 135 lbs in 6 months and now 145 lbs. I had a six way

heart bypass 14 years ago so I try to stay away fron Doctors. Have not been back

to a GI in 3 years. I am on Medicare with a supplement so I can go anywhere at

any time with no referrals. It is great to be on Medicare, but terrible getting

old!!!!!

Found that FAT or butter opens the LES and ALSO relaxes it from a GERD paper.

And found Magnesium 250mg twice a day helps and makes the BM much better. And of

course a real can of COKE also opens the LES, the CO2 works makes this possible.

I keep my cholestrol controlled with Crestor, but since I cant eat meat, the

butter does not seem to matter.

Glad you found us! If you search ray or rayme you will find out what I have done

on my research.

Ray CA OC 81 old as hell but very active!!!

>

> Just diagnosed last week. Have some questions.

>

> History: I'm 71. Started about five years ago. Only occasionally, and first

presenting as " drooling " on my pillow. Then, what I called " back swallowing "

where food from yesterday would suddenly be in my throat. All of this on

again/off again. It was very evident it wasn't GERD (absolutely NO acid). I've

had esophageal spasm off and on since my thirties, which IS really painful, but

none of this stuff was. My doc wasn't too concerned, and said when I was

bothered sufficiently, to let her know, and she'd refer me to a GI guy. Never

happened till this year.

>

> This year has actually been more comfortable: none of that awful throat-grab

sensation that won't let ANYTHING down. Now it all goes down, and right back

up. I've become a master of concealment: I carry spitty cups everywhere I go.

Don't eat in public. Thanksgiving and Christmas have become my idea of hell.

>

> This spring I really began to lose weight. Went from 180 in April to 120 on

September 28 the day I was admitted via ER, with seriously out of whack

electrolytes and massive dehydration/starvation. I'd tried to wait till an appt

with my own doc, but three days to go, didn't think I'd make it. Called in,

told 'em what was going on, and they sent me to ER, post haste.

>

> Irony, is I'd seen that bird's beak, and decided that wasn't ME. Everything

*I* was experiencing was in my THROAT. . . . When I saw my own during the

barium swallow, I was embarrassed for myself. I laughed, and the Radiologist

said: you've seen that guy, eh? Yep. You've been on the internet, haven't you?

Oh, yeah. But I'm a lousy doctor.

>

> Now questions: Virtually EVERYONE except the GI guys seem to have confused it

with GERD. Got GERD meds on discharge. With a 5mm opening, got prescribed a

potassium pill at least 12mm which was going to stick in that opening and burn

the heck of of the esophagus. Maybe the fact that I'd been admitted because of

the potassium (which was under 2), and was in a cardiac unit, made for less

enlightened care? At this point I'm really scared of my possible care.

>

> On the barium swallow, no indication of a bolus. And the endoscopy seems to

have opened the LES just a skosh, but my blender is still my New Best Friend.

The GI guys seemed to think Ensure or Boost would/could do it. But I find the

blender a *much* better solution.

>

> At my age, I'm worried I'm just about at the end of them being

ready/willing/able to operate, and wasting time with dilation or botox. Does

anyone have a sense of how well/long either of those last? The GI guys seem

enamored of both (because it's stuff they can do?) UVA which is my nearest GOOD

hospital isn't high on the list (elsewhere on this site). How much trouble IS

it to travel? Can one just *call* the Mayo Clinic, and get an apt and a date in

one visit? Or any of the other Big Clinics? I'm on Medicare, is it going to

cover anything?

>

> ly, at this point, I'm more afraid of dying of starvation than anything

as my weight is starting to drop again. (They got me back up to 133 with

rehydration, but it was 129 again this morning.)

>

> I live in the backwoods (almost, lol!) of WV, about 40 miles from the nearest

hospital, and only GPs in the county. Have to go over to VA to find any

specialists at all.

>

> Most of you guys look like kids to me. Any one here been diagnosed *this

late*?

>

> And thank you all for being here! And for any help!

>

> xox,

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Ray! I found that same GERD paper, I think, lol! Here's a

partial list from table 13-1

Irony: Achalasia ~~ disease that increases the Lower Esophageal

Sphincter pressure, constricting passage of food/liquid into the

stomach. . . . Look at what *relaxes* it. . . .

Table 13-1

Foods, medications, and hormones that influence resting LES pressure

.... Resting LES pressure

Decreased pressure

Foods/etc.

Chocolate

Fatty meals

Yellow onions

Smoking

Coffee

Alcohol

Peppermint

Gastric acidification

Funny thing was, from Spring into summer, I was longing for acid stuff

(stuff not normally part of my diet): tomatoes, buttermilk, lemonade.

Mountain Dew seems to have covered several bases, grin. Missed the

onions and alcohol, but found the chocolate. Last shopping trip before

the hospital found a bag of miniature chocolate mint patties. . . .

Alas, nothing my body was telling me was acting *well* enough to keep me

from going down hill. This past year, a lot of stress from a

relationship that was dying. Done now, and hopefully I'm healing well

enough that the stress isn't going to be much of a factor any more.

Hope/pray.

Been taking magnesium at 400 mg/once a day for years, and you're right:

it works, lol! Also been taking a B-100 for years, but stopped the

Alpha-Lipoic Acid because the burning was being turned up. That

rat-tail at the end of the bird's beak wasn't even a rat tail any more:

it was a mouse tail. I got to watch the barium just drip-pause-drip

into the tummy. Thanks so much for the response! Nice not to be alone

with this -- and have input from peeps who *know* something. . . . xox

>

> Hi

> Mine started as GERD in the middle of the night at age 75, and I do

remember drooling on the pillow. I am now 81 and doing much better than

5 years ago, I have had NO operations or dilations. Gerd went away as

the LES closed, and I sleep on on elevated bed.

>

> Took 3 years for four GI assholes to determine it was classic

Achalasia. I have done many years of research much like notan and

decided I would try my own routines.

>

> My weight went from 175 to 135 lbs in 6 months and now 145 lbs. I had

a six way heart bypass 14 years ago so I try to stay away fron Doctors.

Have not been back to a GI in 3 years. I am on Medicare with a

supplement so I can go anywhere at any time with no referrals. It is

great to be on Medicare, but terrible getting old!!!!!

>

> Found that FAT or butter opens the LES and ALSO relaxes it from a GERD

paper. And found Magnesium 250mg twice a day helps and makes the BM much

better. And of course a real can of COKE also opens the LES, the CO2

works makes this possible. I keep my cholestrol controlled with Crestor,

but since I cant eat meat, the butter does not seem to matter.

>

> Glad you found us! If you search ray or rayme you will find out what I

have done on my research.

>

> Ray CA OC 81 old as hell but very active!!!

[Guest guest]

Hi , I am only 50 and just got diagnosed last month. Like Ray and many

others, I drink anything with bubbles to wash food down. I also started taking

Magnesium tablets after reading Ray's post a few days ago, and they seem to help

reduce the frequency (and intencity) of the spasms. I think they also help with

the restless legs too!

It's a matter of trial and error and finding what works.

from Australia

> >

> > Just diagnosed last week. Have some questions.

> >

> > History: I'm 71. Started about five years ago. Only occasionally, and first

presenting as " drooling " on my pillow. Then, what I called " back swallowing "

where food from yesterday would suddenly be in my throat. All of this on

again/off again. It was very evident it wasn't GERD (absolutely NO acid). I've

had esophageal spasm off and on since my thirties, which IS really painful, but

none of this stuff was. My doc wasn't too concerned, and said when I was

bothered sufficiently, to let her know, and she'd refer me to a GI guy. Never

happened till this year.

> >

> > This year has actually been more comfortable: none of that awful throat-grab

sensation that won't let ANYTHING down. Now it all goes down, and right back

up. I've become a master of concealment: I carry spitty cups everywhere I go.

Don't eat in public. Thanksgiving and Christmas have become my idea of hell.

> >

> > This spring I really began to lose weight. Went from 180 in April to 120 on

September 28 the day I was admitted via ER, with seriously out of whack

electrolytes and massive dehydration/starvation. I'd tried to wait till an appt

with my own doc, but three days to go, didn't think I'd make it. Called in,

told 'em what was going on, and they sent me to ER, post haste.

> >

> > Irony, is I'd seen that bird's beak, and decided that wasn't ME. Everything

*I* was experiencing was in my THROAT. . . . When I saw my own during the

barium swallow, I was embarrassed for myself. I laughed, and the Radiologist

said: you've seen that guy, eh? Yep. You've been on the internet, haven't you?

Oh, yeah. But I'm a lousy doctor.

> >

> > Now questions: Virtually EVERYONE except the GI guys seem to have confused

it with GERD. Got GERD meds on discharge. With a 5mm opening, got prescribed a

potassium pill at least 12mm which was going to stick in that opening and burn

the heck of of the esophagus. Maybe the fact that I'd been admitted because of

the potassium (which was under 2), and was in a cardiac unit, made for less

enlightened care? At this point I'm really scared of my possible care.

> >

> > On the barium swallow, no indication of a bolus. And the endoscopy seems to

have opened the LES just a skosh, but my blender is still my New Best Friend.

The GI guys seemed to think Ensure or Boost would/could do it. But I find the

blender a *much* better solution.

> >

> > At my age, I'm worried I'm just about at the end of them being

ready/willing/able to operate, and wasting time with dilation or botox. Does

anyone have a sense of how well/long either of those last? The GI guys seem

enamored of both (because it's stuff they can do?) UVA which is my nearest GOOD

hospital isn't high on the list (elsewhere on this site). How much trouble IS

it to travel? Can one just *call* the Mayo Clinic, and get an apt and a date in

one visit? Or any of the other Big Clinics? I'm on Medicare, is it going to

cover anything?

> >

> > ly, at this point, I'm more afraid of dying of starvation than anything

as my weight is starting to drop again. (They got me back up to 133 with

rehydration, but it was 129 again this morning.)

> >

> > I live in the backwoods (almost, lol!) of WV, about 40 miles from the

nearest hospital, and only GPs in the county. Have to go over to VA to find any

specialists at all.

> >

> > Most of you guys look like kids to me. Any one here been diagnosed *this

late*?

> >

> > And thank you all for being here! And for any help!

> >

> > xox,

> >

>

[Guest guest]

So chocolate and coffee (the 2 things I won't give up) are good for me?

Awesome!

> >

> > Hi

> > Mine started as GERD in the middle of the night at age 75, and I do

> remember drooling on the pillow. I am now 81 and doing much better than

> 5 years ago, I have had NO operations or dilations. Gerd went away as

> the LES closed, and I sleep on on elevated bed.

> >

> > Took 3 years for four GI assholes to determine it was classic

> Achalasia. I have done many years of research much like notan and

> decided I would try my own routines.

> >

> > My weight went from 175 to 135 lbs in 6 months and now 145 lbs. I had

> a six way heart bypass 14 years ago so I try to stay away fron Doctors.

> Have not been back to a GI in 3 years. I am on Medicare with a

> supplement so I can go anywhere at any time with no referrals. It is

> great to be on Medicare, but terrible getting old!!!!!

> >

> > Found that FAT or butter opens the LES and ALSO relaxes it from a GERD

> paper. And found Magnesium 250mg twice a day helps and makes the BM much

> better. And of course a real can of COKE also opens the LES, the CO2

> works makes this possible. I keep my cholestrol controlled with Crestor,

> but since I cant eat meat, the butter does not seem to matter.

> >

> > Glad you found us! If you search ray or rayme you will find out what I

> have done on my research.

> >

> > Ray CA OC 81 old as hell but very active!!!

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Go get the expert help! i had a Hellers Myotomy and Dors Fundoplication at

72 and glad I did. FIND THE EXPERT....the travel is worth it!

in Santa Barbara

In a message dated 10/14/2011 1:07:25 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

puddleriver13@... writes:

Just diagnosed last week. Have some questions.

History: I'm 71. Started about five years ago. Only occasionally, and

first presenting as " drooling " on my pillow. Then, what I called " back

swallowing " where food from yesterday would suddenly be in my throat. All of

this

on again/off again. It was very evident it wasn't GERD (absolutely NO acid).

I've had esophageal spasm off and on since my thirties, which IS really

painful, but none of this stuff was. My doc wasn't too concerned, and said

when I was bothered sufficiently, to let her know, and she'd refer me to a GI

guy. Never happened till this year.

This year has actually been more comfortable: none of that awful

throat-grab sensation that won't let ANYTHING down. Now it all goes down, and

right

back up. I've become a master of concealment: I carry spitty cups

everywhere I go. Don't eat in public. Thanksgiving and Christmas have become my

idea

of hell.

This spring I really began to lose weight. Went from 180 in April to 120

on September 28 the day I was admitted via ER, with seriously out of whack

electrolytes and massive dehydration/starvation. I'd tried to wait till an

appt with my own doc, but three days to go, didn't think I'd make it. Called

in, told 'em what was going on, and they sent me to ER, post haste.

Irony, is I'd seen that bird's beak, and decided that wasn't ME.

Everything *I* was experiencing was in my THROAT. . . . When I saw my own

during the

barium swallow, I was embarrassed for myself. I laughed, and the

Radiologist said: you've seen that guy, eh? Yep. You've been on the internet,

haven't you? Oh, yeah. But I'm a lousy doctor.

Now questions: Virtually EVERYONE except the GI guys seem to have confused

it with GERD. Got GERD meds on discharge. With a 5mm opening, got

prescribed a potassium pill at least 12mm which was going to stick in that

opening

and burn the heck of of the esophagus. Maybe the fact that I'd been

admitted because of the potassium (which was under 2), and was in a cardiac

unit,

made for less enlightened care? At this point I'm really scared of my

possible care.

On the barium swallow, no indication of a bolus. And the endoscopy seems

to have opened the LES just a skosh, but my blender is still my New Best

Friend. The GI guys seemed to think Ensure or Boost would/could do it. But I

find the blender a *much* better solution.

At my age, I'm worried I'm just about at the end of them being

ready/willing/able to operate, and wasting time with dilation or botox. Does

anyone

have a sense of how well/long either of those last? The GI guys seem enamored

of both (because it's stuff they can do?) UVA which is my nearest GOOD

hospital isn't high on the list (elsewhere on this site). How much trouble IS

it to travel? Can one just *call* the Mayo Clinic, and get an apt and a

date in one visit? Or any of the other Big Clinics? I'm on Medicare, is it

going to cover anything?

ly, at this point, I'm more afraid of dying of starvation than

anything as my weight is starting to drop again. (They got me back up to 133

with

rehydration, but it was 129 again this morning.)

I live in the backwoods (almost, lol!) of WV, about 40 miles from the

nearest hospital, and only GPs in the county. Have to go over to VA to find any

specialists at all.

Most of you guys look like kids to me. Any one here been diagnosed *this

late*?

And thank you all for being here! And for any help!

xox,

[Guest guest]

Welcome ,

 

I managed my condition for 22yrs before I actually was able to get the help I

needed.  I learned how to power swallow with liquid forcing things down, and it

worked for many years to some degree.  But the condition did get worse over

time, soon it seemed everything would regurg back up.  Everyday became a battle

of " how to eat " and the time needed to try and feed myself.  I too was panicked

that I would just starve to death sooner or later!  So, I got to researching

and found this group.  The one thing which is the MAIN thing, is find an expert

surgeon, top dog if you plan on surgery.  The surgery itself is no big deal

these days, but the ability of the doctor makes a huge difference in the outcome

and success. 

 

An expert is a surgeon that deals with ACHALASIA and has done over 100 of these

Heller Myotomys.  This group can help you with questions and concerns. 

 

I'm in my fifties and had the surgery over a year ago and I am doing great for

the first time in over 2 decades.  I can eat practically normal.  For me the

surgery was the best thing, but each person must research and talk face to face

with a good doc and find out what your fix should be, whether it's dilation or

surgery. 

 

Because we are " rare " , you must educate the regular doctors and explain to them

what Achalasia is and how you are starving to death, perhaps then medicare would

put you on a fast track to get the help you need.  Explain that NOT any old

surgeon can do this correctly and you need an expert on this rare condition! 

We somtimes have to be pushy. 

 

Best of luck, and keep us posted! 

 

Julee So. Calif.  

From: puddleriver13 <puddleriver13@...>

achalasia

Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 1:03 PM

Subject: New here ~~

 

Just diagnosed last week. Have some questions.

History: I'm 71. Started about five years ago. Only occasionally, and first

presenting as " drooling " on my pillow. Then, what I called " back swallowing "

where food from yesterday would suddenly be in my throat. All of this on

again/off again. It was very evident it wasn't GERD (absolutely NO acid). I've

had esophageal spasm off and on since my thirties, which IS really painful, but

none of this stuff was. My doc wasn't too concerned, and said when I was

bothered sufficiently, to let her know, and she'd refer me to a GI guy. Never

happened till this year.

This year has actually been more comfortable: none of that awful throat-grab

sensation that won't let ANYTHING down. Now it all goes down, and right back up.

I've become a master of concealment: I carry spitty cups everywhere I go. Don't

eat in public. Thanksgiving and Christmas have become my idea of hell.

This spring I really began to lose weight. Went from 180 in April to 120 on

September 28 the day I was admitted via ER, with seriously out of whack

electrolytes and massive dehydration/starvation. I'd tried to wait till an appt

with my own doc, but three days to go, didn't think I'd make it. Called in, told

'em what was going on, and they sent me to ER, post haste.

Irony, is I'd seen that bird's beak, and decided that wasn't ME. Everything *I*

was experiencing was in my THROAT. . . . When I saw my own during the barium

swallow, I was embarrassed for myself. I laughed, and the Radiologist said:

you've seen that guy, eh? Yep. You've been on the internet, haven't you? Oh,

yeah. But I'm a lousy doctor.

Now questions: Virtually EVERYONE except the GI guys seem to have confused it

with GERD. Got GERD meds on discharge. With a 5mm opening, got prescribed a

potassium pill at least 12mm which was going to stick in that opening and burn

the heck of of the esophagus. Maybe the fact that I'd been admitted because of

the potassium (which was under 2), and was in a cardiac unit, made for less

enlightened care? At this point I'm really scared of my possible care.

On the barium swallow, no indication of a bolus. And the endoscopy seems to have

opened the LES just a skosh, but my blender is still my New Best Friend. The GI

guys seemed to think Ensure or Boost would/could do it. But I find the blender a

*much* better solution.

At my age, I'm worried I'm just about at the end of them being

ready/willing/able to operate, and wasting time with dilation or botox. Does

anyone have a sense of how well/long either of those last? The GI guys seem

enamored of both (because it's stuff they can do?) UVA which is my nearest GOOD

hospital isn't high on the list (elsewhere on this site). How much trouble IS it

to travel? Can one just *call* the Mayo Clinic, and get an apt and a date in one

visit? Or any of the other Big Clinics? I'm on Medicare, is it going to cover

anything?

ly, at this point, I'm more afraid of dying of starvation than anything as

my weight is starting to drop again. (They got me back up to 133 with

rehydration, but it was 129 again this morning.)

I live in the backwoods (almost, lol!) of WV, about 40 miles from the nearest

hospital, and only GPs in the county. Have to go over to VA to find any

specialists at all.

Most of you guys look like kids to me. Any one here been diagnosed *this late*?

And thank you all for being here! And for any help!

xox,

[Guest guest]

JULIE!! go see someone that can do a heller myotomy for you! i have been where

you are!! feast to famine!!! had the dilitation(s)  ... H20 was not going down!

did the spit cups (nice big purses conceal a LOT of yuk) .. the surgery was a

breeze... 5 tiny holes. was drinking that same evening. and it was going down...

ate a hamburger (took all day but chewed and chewed) a week and half later.. i

am 5 weeks now , and my life is wonderful! i couldnt even take a pill before.

was taking 2 huge bags of iv and potassium every week (and more) DO NOT put this

off. you are not getting nutrients.  you are starving i know... i was too.. i am

a new woman..and i am 54.. have had this for years and did not know what was

wrong with me.   Kim in the Deep south

[Guest guest]

I concur with Kim... schedule the myotomy please... It will make things so

much better for you to handle!

California

Sent from my iPhone

[Guest guest]

> Most of you guys look like kids to me. Any one here been diagnosed *this

late*?

Certainly, some of us have been diagnosed in " later years. " I was in my late

60's. In 2008, I received help via Dr. Steve DeMeester at the University of

California in Los Angeles. He is a surgeon who is highly regarded as an

achalasia expert. My being an older female, he judged that I was an excellent

candidate for a pneumatic dilatation and referred me to Dr. Klein at

USC. Dr. Klein performed the dilatation successfully in 2008. I continue to eat

well and to be healthy since then.

I'm wishing you all the best. Take good care of yourself by going to an expert

physician.

Warm regards,

Love